Speakers
José María Figueres, former President of Costa Rica and former CEO of the World Economic Forum, is currently the President of the Carbon War Room, a global initiative conceptualized to accelerate the adoption of business solutions to advance the low-carbon economy. He is internationally recognized for his work on environmental issues and technologies that promote competitiveness and development.
In his own words: “I have always believed that we have the individual responsibility to constantly re-invent ourselves. I started my professional career as an engineer working in the agroindustrial sector. Then I became a public servant. Following that I started an international career that enabled me to travel widely and better understand global events. As a carpenter who accumulates tools throughout his life and brings them with him to his next job, I have endeavored to learn from every experience, the good ones but above all the not so good, to increase my knowledge and use them in future responsibilities.”
How can local solutions scaled for global impact drive sustainable development and help the communities that need it the most? This keynote session featuring former President of Costa Rica, José María Figueres, covered how he pioneered the fight for sustainability and greater economic opportunity as one of the first national leaders to advocate for climate change and technological innovation, right in his home country. President Figueres spoke to how the environment and the economy are intertwined – and how the impetus to invest in local solutions in local communities is greater than ever.